What can I say?

Ok, so I’ve known about my next speaking engagement for four months now and tonight I am just sitting down to prepare my presentation. I write best under pressure, or maybe I’m just lazy. Whatever it is, I know that when I go to speak at Florida International University’s Annual Journalism Day, I will be standing there poised and prepared as if I had not stayed up until midnight the night before finishing up my speech.

I’m teaching a workshop called Features: Writing that comes to Life. Somehow I’m supposed to speak for an HOUR teaching budding journalists how to make their writing more lively and interesting.

Who in the world qualified me to teach this?!

I emailed my old Magazine Journalism professor and told him about it and he responded:

He, he.. You really have then snowed don’t you? he, he…But I know you’ll be great! Good luck.



Not only do I have to prepare a comprehensive lesson, I have to do a powerpoint presentation and make up handouts to give to the 100 students that are registered for the workshop.

I’ve pulled out all of my old writing books from college; they are still new cuz I never looked at them before. And I’m staring at a blank piece of notebook paper, trying to get my outline together.

Oh boy, Saturday is going to be my time to bring the real. And with journalists from all over the city scheduled to be there, I’ll be sure to smile and snatch a few cards to forward my resume.

So, let me clear my mind and breathe in and out. Maybe something will click. Hey, if you ever read anything that might be useful for me, PLEASE send it.

Calling all writers: How do you make YOUR writing come to life?